-- i mean obviously you can't be precise -- in terms of what super storm sandy is going to cost the u.s. economy. >> in the beginning $20 billion, now i'd say it's closer to 40 and probably looking at another $30 billion in lost commerce. the new york city economy is not functioning, nor is the broader away, people aren't earning a living so at it quite a big toll. >> probably talking about something close to 70, $80 billion, not as big as katrina but getting in that league. >> so, if it's in that range, professor, you're suggesting this is one of the most expensive storms in american history? >> yeah. it's note the biggest. however, look at where it hit. right smack into the financial center, and then i'm a native new yorker, well familiar with long beach, rockaway beach, long island, the shoreline of new jersey, spending summers there, and those places are vulnerable to this kind of storm, and they're not built for it, and we're seeing communities completely devastated and it's going to be a long process of rebuilding. >> is there an economic stimulus impact, dr., from that activity?